{{Short description|Dutch heavy metal musician}} {{hatnote group| {{for|the American politician|Mark Jansen (politician)}}{{distinguish|Mark Janssen}} }} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Mark Jansen | background = solo_singer | image = Epica, 3-Majówka 2022 Mark Jansen (cropped).jpg | caption = Jansen performing in 2022 | birth_name = Markus H. J. Jansen<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/891521843 |title=A PHANTASMIC PARADE |website=ASCAP |publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers |access-date=15 November 2023}}</ref> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1978|12|15|df=y}} | birth_place = Reuver, Limburg, Netherlands | genre = Symphonic metal, progressive metal, death metal | occupation = Musician, songwriter | instrument = Guitar, vocals | years_active = 1995–present | website = }}
'''Markus Hubertus Johannes Jansen''' (born 15 December 1978) is a Dutch guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. A prominent figure in the symphonic metal subgenre, he is known for his work with the bands After Forever (1995–2002), Epica (2002–present), and MaYaN (2010–present).
In both After Forever and Epica, he has performed growled vocals, complementing the vocals of, respectively, Floor Jansen (no relation) and Simone Simons.
==Career== ===After Forever (1995–2002)=== As guitarist, Jansen founded After Forever with Sander Gommans, and was one of the main songwriters for the band's first two albums, ''Prison of Desire'' and ''Decipher''. During his time with After Forever, the band's music had been strongly influenced by Jansen's love for movie soundtracks and classical music,<ref name=MJ>{{cite web |url=http://www.epica.nl/?page=band&show=members&sub=2 |title=Mark Jansen profile |date=12 April 2006 |website=Epica Online |access-date=9 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205203339/http://www.epica.nl/?page=band&show=members&sub=2 |archive-date=5 February 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=176&Itemid=36 |title=Epica Interview 2006 |last=Grant |first=Sam |website=Sonic Cathedral WebZine |access-date=22 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090529074452/http://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=176&Itemid=36 |archive-date=29 May 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> with the albums' lyrics showcasing Jansen's interest for religious and moral themes, as demonstrated through ''The Embrace That Smothers'' and ''My Pledge of Allegiance''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEG_z-e52OE |title=Epica interview - Mark Jansen (part 4) |access-date =15 June 2016 |year=2007 |author=FaceCulture |website=YouTube}}</ref>
Jansen left After Forever in 2002 as a result of creative differences with the rest of the band.<ref name="EPICA - THE ECSTASY OF AGONY">{{cite web |last1=Begai |first1=Carl |title=Epica - The Ecstasy of Agony |url=https://bravewords.com/features/epica-the-ecstasy-of-agony |website=Bravewords |access-date=25 August 2021}}</ref><ref name=face1>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJaCZR5FFtY |title=Interview After Forever - Sander Gommans |access-date=15 June 2016 |year=2005 |author=FaceCulture |website=YouTube |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/TJaCZR5FFtY |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Prior to his departure, he had intended to further explore complex interactions between classical instruments, choruses in Latin and death metal elements in the band's next album,<ref name=mark>{{cite web |url=http://www.tartareandesire.com/interviews/saharadust.html |title=Interview with the Dutch gothic metal band Sahara Dust |access-date=1 April 2010 |date=July 2002 |website=Tartarean Desire Webzine |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606103813/http://www.tartareandesire.com/interviews/saharadust.html |archive-date=6 June 2011}}</ref><ref name=jansen>{{cite web |url=http://www.musicaldiscoveries.com/reviews/epica.htm |title=Epica: The Phantom Agony |access-date=9 May 2010 |last=Elliot |first=Russell W. |date=2 March 2004 |website=Musical Discoveries}}</ref> while Gommans and the others preferred a more direct and aggressive approach to music, retaining some elements that made the sound of the band recognizable, but expanding it in new and different directions.<ref name=face1/> These musical differences led to Mark Jansen leaving the band, in what he felt as an actual dismissal.<ref name=mark/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imPgfKKVWP8 |title=Epica interview - Mark Jansen (part 1) |access-date=15 June 2016 |year=2007 |author=FaceCulture |website=YouTube}}</ref> After his departure, the band took a new musical direction.
In a 2007 interview, Jansen described his departure from After Forever as coming as a shock to him at the time, with the news of his dismissal being delivered to him by fellow band members shortly before a band rehearsal. At the time of his dismissal, the band were preparing to participate in a series of major tours and concerts such as Pinkpop.<ref>{{cite web |title=Epica interview - Mark Jansen (part 1) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imPgfKKVWP8 |website=YouTube |author=FaceCulture | date=31 August 2011 |access-date=29 May 2021}}</ref>
===Epica (2002–present)=== thumb|right|Jansen playing at Wacken Open Air, in 2018. After his departure from After Forever, began looking for musicians who would work towards a more classical/symphonic type of music project; this was initially named '''Sahara Dust'''.<ref name=mark/><ref name=Metalstorm>{{cite web |url=http://www.metalstorm.ee/bands/band.php?band_id=208&bandname=Epica |title=Epica |website=Metal Storm.ee}}</ref> In late 2002, the band courted Helena Iren Michaelsen<ref name=Metalstorm/> (from Trail of Tears) as its frontwoman, but shortly after, she was replaced by the then unknown Simone Simons in 2003, who was Jansen's girlfriend at the time. The band's line-up was completed by guitarist Ad Sluijter, drummer Jeroen Simons, bassist Yves Huts, and keyboard player Coen Janssen. The name was later changed to Epica, inspired by Kamelot's album of the same name.
Through Epica, Jansen continued to further pursue the combination of symphonic metal with gothic metal elements, that had been present in After Forever's first two albums. Over time, the band began to incorporate strong death metal influences into their sound.<ref name=Cioppa>{{cite book |last=Della Cioppa |first=Gianni |title=Heavy metal: i contemporanei |date=2010 |language=it |location=Firenze |publisher=Giunti}}</ref><ref name=rafabasa>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rafabasa.com/2014/04/22/critica-del-cd-de-epica-the-quantum-enigma/ |title=Crítica del CD de EPICA - The Quantum Enigma |website=Rafabasa.com |date=22 April 2014 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.lagrosseradio.com/metal/webzine-metal/chronique-metal/p8789-epica-the-quantum-enigma.html |title=Epica - The Quantum Enigma |website=La Grosse Radio Metal |date=28 April 2014 |language=fr |access-date=21 March 2020}}</ref> Starting from the third album, progressive metal influences have also become evident.<ref name=Cioppa/><ref name="musicaldiscoveries.com">{{Cite web |url=http://www.musicaldiscoveries.com/reviews/epica2008.htm |title=Epica The Divine Conspiracy Review and Interview |website=Musical Discoveries.com |access-date=21 March 2020}}</ref><ref name=ashladan>{{Cite web |url=http://ashladan.be/metal-reviews/epica-the-quantum-enigma |title=Epica – The Quantum Enigma |website=Ashladan |access-date=29 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429191103/http://ashladan.be/metal-reviews/epica-the-quantum-enigma |archive-date=29 April 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition, the band often uses thrash metal and groove metal riffs, black metal passages (mostly in the drum technique), power metal moments and references to Arabic music.<ref name="thisisnotascene.com">{{Cite web |url=https://thisisnotascene.com/2014/epica-the-quantum-enigma/ |title=Epica - The Quantum Enigma |date=12 March 2014 |website=ThisIsNotAScene.com |access-date=21 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="MetalUndergroundRFTI">{{cite web |url=http://www.metalunderground.com/reviews/details.cfm?releaseid=6192 |title=Epica - "Requiem For The Indifferent" |website=Metal Underground}}</ref><ref name="MI">{{Cite web |url=http://www.metalitalia.com/articolo/epica-il-nuovo-album-the-holographic-principle-traccia-per-traccia-e-intervista-a-simone-simons/ |title=Epica: il nuovo album "The Holographic Principle" traccia per traccia e intervista a Simone Simons! |website=Metal Italia.com |date=28 July 2016 |language=it}}</ref><ref name="Biani">{{Cite magazine |title=Epica: The Holographic Principle (listening session) |magazine=MyRock |editor=BMS Soc. coop. |date=8 July 2016 |page=5}}</ref><ref name="WLM">{{Cite web |url=http://www.welovemetal.com/newsite/wordpress/2016/08/10/album-review-epica-the-holographic-principle/ |title=Epica – The Holographic Principle |date=10 August 2016 |website=We Love Metal |access-date=30 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009194237/http://www.welovemetal.com/newsite/wordpress/2016/08/10/album-review-epica-the-holographic-principle/ |archive-date=9 October 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Some songs also have electronic shades, djent transitions and folk metal melodies derived from Middle Eastern, Chinese and Celtic traditions.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.truemetal.it/news/epica-mark-jansen-simone-simons-68982 |title=Epica (Mark Jansen & Simone Simons) |website=TrueMetal.it |date=27 May 2014}}</ref> Epica is also known for the attention to the vocal lines that, in contrast to the heavy context, weave very catchy, easy to hold, sophisticated and emotional melodies.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.metal.de/interviews/listening-session-zum-neuen-epica-album-the-holographic-principle-188775/ |title=Epica – Zuviel gibt es für Epica nicht: Die Listening-Session zu "The Holographic Principle" |website=Metal.de |date=7 August 2016 |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|Ij4mluF1jfI|Spark TV: Epica – interview with Mark Jansen about upcoming new album "The Holographic Principle"}}</ref> The band's lyrics often deal with philosophical, psychological, spiritual, moral, scientific, environmental, socio-political, global and topical and personal themes, and the band is also known for their wide use of orchestra and opera choirs.
===MaYaN (2010–present)=== In 2010, Jansen announced that he and former After Forever keyboardist Jack Driessen have formed another band called MaYaN.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://mayanofficial.com/index.php/band-info/mayan-biography |title=MaYaN Biography |website=Mayan Official.com |language=en-gb |access-date=27 March 2018 |archive-date=27 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327213654/http://mayanofficial.com/index.php/band-info/mayan-biography |url-status=dead }}</ref> The name was chosen by Jansen out of his fascination for the ancient Maya civilization.<ref name="Sonic">{{cite magazine |title=Mayan – Enttarnung konspirativer Verbrechen |first=Markus |last=Eck |magazine=Sonic Seducer |language=de |issue=6 |year=2011 |publisher=Thomas Vogel Media}}</ref> MaYaN's lyrical themes include religion, politics, and world events, as well as philosophy, meditation, existence, and inner struggles. The band has released three studio albums to date, ''Quarterpast'' in 2011, ''Antagonise'' in 2014 and ''Dhyana'' in 2018.
Unlike his other bands, Jansen sings but does not play guitar, with the band featuring many different vocalists (either full-time members or guests) in a mix of clean vocals, growled vocals, and screams, supported by an instrumentation combining both heavy metal and symphonic metal elements.
===United Metal Minds (2018–present)=== Recently, Jansen has launched the international musical project ''United Metal Minds''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://unitedmetalminds.com/ |title=United Metal Minds |website=unitedmetalminds.com |language=en-gb |access-date=17 February 2019}}</ref>
==Personal life== Jansen was born in Reuver, Netherlands, and has a master's degree in psychology.<ref>{{cite web |title=Members |url=https://www.epica.nl/band/members |website=Epica |access-date=23 January 2021}}</ref><ref name="facebook">{{cite web |title=Mark Jansen |website=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/markepica |accessdate=5 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=45360 |title=An Interview with Epica's Mark Jansen |website=Metal Underground |date=16 June 2009 |accessdate=5 June 2015}}</ref> In his adolescent years, Jansen originally wanted to become a cyclist; his interest in performing was sparked from attending a Gorefest show when he was 15 years old.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Van Dijk |first1=Erwin |title=An interview with Mark Jansen from Epica |url=https://www.femmemetalwebzine.net/uncategorized/interview-mark-jansen-epica-2009/ |website=Femme Metal Webzine |date=5 August 2012 |access-date=25 August 2021}}</ref>
Since 2011,<ref>{{cite web |title=❤️10 years of adventures always together, happy anniversary to us! ❤️ |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CSPH1HTqdM1/ |url-access=registration |website=Instagram |author=Laura Macrí |access-date=6 August 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CSPH1HTqdM1 |archive-date=24 December 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> he has been in a relationship with Italian singer Laura Macrì.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nuclearblast.de/en/products/tontraeger/cd/cd/laura-macri-terra.html |title=Laura Macrì: Terra |website=NuclearBlast.de |access-date=20 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310184234/http://www.nuclearblast.de/en/products/tontraeger/cd/cd/laura-macri-terra.html |archive-date=10 March 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In the past, he had a relationship with Simone Simons; the relationship ended in 2005, shortly after the release of ''Consign to Oblivion''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Epica interview - Mark Jansen (part 2) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4dMm1sCYkM&ab_channel=FaceCulture |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/b4dMm1sCYkM |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|website=YouTube |author=FaceCulture | date=31 August 2011 |access-date=23 January 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Jansen first met Simons in the chatroom on After Forever's website, when he was searching for a singer for a side project, with the then-16 year old Simons making a positive impression after singing to him over the phone during their first telephone conversation.<ref name="EPICA - THE ECSTASY OF AGONY"/>
On 12 November 2023, Jansen and Macri's first daughter Ilse was born in Italy. Both parents announced Ilse's birth on their social media.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Czq3KRbtaVn/?igshid=b3k2Z2VlMGdjdjV |access-date=15 November 2023 |title=Instagram }}</ref>
==Discography==
===After Forever===
'''Studio albums''' *''Prison of Desire'' (2000) *''Decipher'' (2001)
===Epica=== '''Studio albums''' *''The Phantom Agony'' (2003) *''Consign to Oblivion'' (2005) *''The Divine Conspiracy'' (2007) *''Design Your Universe'' (2009) *''Requiem for the Indifferent'' (2012) *''The Quantum Enigma'' (2014) *''The Holographic Principle'' (2016) * ''Omega'' (2021) * ''Aspiral'' (2025)
'''Live & Soundtrack albums''' *''The Score – An Epic Journey'' (2005) *''The Classical Conspiracy'' (2009)
===MaYaN=== '''Studio albums''' *''Quarterpast'' (2011) *''Antagonise'' (2014) *''Dhyana'' (2018)
==References== {{reflist}} * {{cite web |url=http://echoesanddust.com/2016/09/interview-mark-jansen-and-simone-simons-of-epica/ |title=Interview: Mark Jansen and Simone Simons from Epica |website=Echoes & Dust |date=September 2016}} * {{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/epicas-mark-jansen-offers-update-on-next-album/ |title=Epica's Mark Jansen Offers Update On Next Album |website=Blabbermouth |date=22 March 2016}} * {{cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/epica-simone-simons-mark-jansen-would-you-rather/ |title=Epica's Simone Simons + Mark Jansen Play 'Would You Rather?' |website=Loudwire |date=25 March 2016}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *{{cite web |url=http://www.epica.nl/?page=band&show=members&sub=2 |title=Profile at the official Epica site |access-date=6 September 2006 |archive-date=27 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727080209/http://www.epica.nl/?page=band&show=members&sub=2 |url-status=dead }} *{{cite web |url=http://www.metal-ways.com/115/8/interview-epica-interview-metal-female-voices-wieze.html |title=Interview with Mark Jansen |date=October 2007 |website=Metal Ways}} *{{YouTube|RSEn39OVg4g|Mark Jansen introduces "Kingdom of Heaven" (part 1 of 2)}} *{{YouTube|3he-UEgZIbI|Mark Jansen introduces "Kingdom of Heaven" (part 2 of 2)|link=no}} *{{YouTube|v7z1YV9vwac|Mark Jansen interview – Getting Sander (After Forever) for The Divine Conspiracy|link=no}} *{{YouTube|Dj5zI5Oredg|Mark Jansen interview – Relationship with Simone|link=no}}
{{Epica}} {{After Forever}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jansen, Mark}} Category:1978 births Category:Living people Category:Dutch heavy metal guitarists Category:Dutch male guitarists Category:Dutch heavy metal singers Category:English-language Dutch singers Category:Epica (band) members Category:People from Beesel Category:After Forever members Category:21st-century Dutch male singers Category:21st-century Dutch singers Category:21st-century Dutch guitarists Category:Seven-string guitarists Category:Mayan (band) members